Verstappen Surpasses Vettel in All-Time Podium List, Making F1 History

Max Verstappen continues to etch his name into Formula 1 history, securing his 123rd career podium at the Mexican Grand Prix. This achievement moves him past Sebastian Vettel, making him the sole third-place holder in F1's all-time podium finishers.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen's consistent performance highlights his dominance and places him among the sport's most legendary drivers at a remarkably young age.
• Surpassing a four-time world champion like Vettel underscores the extraordinary trajectory of his career, suggesting he could challenge even more long-standing records.

The Details:

• Prior to the Mexican Grand Prix, Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel were tied with 122 podium finishes each.
• Verstappen's third-place finish in Mexico propelled him to 123, breaking the tie and securing his solo third position.
• Current Podium Leaders:
  • Lewis Hamilton leads with 202 podiums.
  • Michael Schumacher follows with 155 podiums.
  • Max Verstappen now stands at 123 podiums.

By the numbers:

• Podium Percentage: Verstappen boasts an impressive podium rate of 53.7%, meaning he finishes in the top three in more than half of his races.
  • This percentage is currently on par with Lewis Hamilton's career average, which has seen a slight dip this season from 56.7% to 53.7%.
• Comparison with Legends:
  • Michael Schumacher achieved a podium rate of 50.7% during his career.
  • Sebastian Vettel's career podium rate stands at 40.8%.

What's next:

With only 32 more podiums needed to surpass Michael Schumacher, and considering his current form, it seems only a matter of time before Verstappen claims the second spot in the all-time list.

• His relentless pursuit of records and his young age suggest that Lewis Hamilton's all-time record of 202 podiums could eventually be within his reach.
• The next races will provide further opportunities for Verstappen to add to his tally and continue his historic climb.